THE FASHION DISH

I’ve always wanted to interview a musician and I finally had my chance! But, Alexa Ray Joel, daughter of famed singer Billy Joel and iconic model Christie Brinkley, is so much cooler than any rockstar I could’ve envisioned. She’s the most down to earth celebrity I’ve ever met. Clearly passionate about all she does, she isn’t afraid to be herself and she does just that when it comes to her wardrobe, she loves American Apparel for knee socks, but Louboutin for shoes. In 2006 she released her first album Sketches. Ever since she’s been ever super popular on the music scene. Between her music career and featured column in J-14, I was thrilled she took the time to dish to me! I present part one of three of my interview with Alexa. She talks fashion (of course), favorite looks, and more!

HS: How would you describe your style in three words?
ARJ: Layered, Playful, BLACK!!!

HS: What is your go-to outfit?
ARJ: My go-to-outfit, (for this season), includes tight black leggings, my favorite, fitted black leg-warmers from American Apparel with two thick white-stripes high on the leg, (they look hotter when they go all the way up the leg, like knee-socks, so I pull them up high), black platform Louboutin Mary-Janes, a long, black, Vintage Helmut Lang shirt/dress, (which can show the shoulders or fall evenly as a V-Neck – it can also be worn with a belt to dress it up – I LOVE dresses that are flexible in how they can be worn, but still have a tight fit), a long, sheer-material Martin Margella black wrap, a large, dark grey knitted wrap from Sample Store, and black fingerless gloves from Rugby, (mine got all torn and ripped up, so I’m trying to rock the Madonna Look and they look edgier that way, so I actually like it). I accessorize with my black & white skull-print Alexander McQueen scarf, my black Pirite Crushed Diamond Studded-Earrings, (from Sample Store), my Victorian-Amethyst Cross Choker, and a few silver and gold bangle-bracelettes mixed in with my silver watch on one arm.

Alexa with her mom Christie Brinkley

HS: What accessory can you not live without?
ARJ: High-Heels & High Platforms. Fashion has no pain if you really love it!!

HS: What has been your favorite Red-Carpet Look? 
ARJ: I loved my look for the Tony’s last year.  It was very ‘femme-fatale’, and it was a truly seductive, Old Hollywood Look.  I wore a tight, strapless, black Dolce & Gabbana Gown with a heart-shaped corset-fit on top, and a floor-length train on the bottom,  along with a black and grey, (with grey shimmering detail), and a Loro Piana Shawl.  My hair was wrapped-up in a high-bun, and I had very minimal jewelry, (just simple black chandelier earrings, if I recall).  I was wearing high black Louboutin stiletto heels, but you couldn’t see them because the gown was so long.  (Being only 5’2”, I love dressing in long skirts and dresses that cover my feet, with high heels or platforms underneath– it elongates the frame and effectively fakes the ‘tall’ look– I love tricking people into thinking I’m tall!)

Alex looks gorgeous in Dolce & Gabbana at last years Tonys

HS: What are your wardrobe staples?
ARJ: I LOVE fitted, black and/or white ‘Spanx’ tank-tops…  I can’t ever seem to get enough of them!  I wear them underneath all my T-Shirts and Sweaters.  They’re very comfortable, while still pulling in the waist and tummy– sucking everything in, so whatever you wear on top over it looks even better than it would normally.  I always love having tons of long wraps on-hand, because it’s fun to play and layer them over one another… I tend to stick with black and grey wraps, because they always go well with my other black staples.  I was lucky enough to find a HUGE, vintage, dark-brown leather Prada Bag at a really cool consignment store called “Revival” (in Oyster Bay, Centre Island) recently, which I’ve become addicted to and wear almost every day, because I can actually stuff almost anything into it, and it still stays flat and looks very elegant and classic!

HS: I love enormous bags too! Other must haves?

ARJ: I’m not a big jeans girl, so I’m always stocking up on black leggings, tights, and stockings… for tights and stockings, Wolford is the best!!  American Apparel has really fun high knee-socks, which I’m always a fan of… I try to get the different colors and patterns and just pair it against a basic black legging to mix up the look and make it more original.  I also regularly wear their jumpers [respectively, in solid black and grey]– they’re so comfortable, and look great with other minimalist, basic pieces.

Tune in tomorrow for part two! xo